Driven by Fear... Do I Need an AR?

No. If you dont need it, dont buy it.

WANT may be a different story. But not everyone needs one.

Even needs is used loosely... I *need* one for varmint hunting, but do I NEED to varmint hunt? Yes... I believe I do.

Fear of a crash causes me to buckle my seat belt.

Fear of leaving my wife without causes me to buy life insurance.




Do you fear your government?






Buy now.

I would NOT buy one now with current prices.
Should have bought one before or wait this one out.

IMO no. If you want one, wait six months for gun control legislation to stall in Congress and the sluggish economy & tax increases to hit more people in the wallet. A lot of lightly used product will be for sale.

Get you a nice bolt action in .3006 and topped with a good scope. You can have the most powerful cartridge of all time, and dont have to worry them running out . AR s are nice but its a killing right now. Don t get ripped off.

Not unless you simply "Want" one. I highly recommend one, but don't buy out of fear, especially now... ( Ford Credit may have some loan options available. )

With prices being what they are right now, you might find yourself better served with something different. A .38/.357 or .30-30 lever gun is a viable option. A single shot or bolt action would not be my first choice, bu I'd make do if that was all I had, unless I was sitting on a huge pile of cash and spending 300% over retail for an AR and ammo wouldn't hurt.

Bubbles said:

IMO no. If you want one, wait six months for gun control legislation to stall in Congress and the sluggish economy & tax increases to hit more people in the wallet. A lot of lightly used product will be for sale.

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The smart money, right there.

SKS don't seem to have been terribly marked up during this "panic", which I still don't believe is equivalent to what I saw in '94 in terms of price rise. You could still find one for about the same as a month ago. They aren't bad rifles.


Edit: I wish I shared the confidence that many of you have that nothing is going to happen. Sadly, I don't.

Yeah, the SKS is quickly coming up on my radar as a potential option should a "hi-cap" ban go into place...assuming it isn't restricted for other reasons.

If you want an AR, I think your options are A) buy high now, or B) hope it's available later. I'm going with option B, personally. I'm writing letters to congress and donating to NRA-ILA in hopes that we don't have a new ban.

If you do get one you will pay threw the nose for it.

Thanks for posting this question.

I have been struggling with succumbing to the fear of a possible ban. Long before fear escalated prices, I was planning on buying an AR this spring. Hopefully, prices will go back down to normal in May. I really would like an AR for 3gun. I saw a DPMS standard AR for $2000, when it usually costs ~$750.

I feel better hearing the majority of everyone’s comments to sit tight.

Skribs said:

Yeah, the SKS is quickly coming up on my radar as a potential option should a "hi-cap" ban go into place...assuming it isn't restricted for other reasons.

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If I recall, the SKS is on Feinstein's list.

I don't even particularly LIKE ar pattern rifles, but am beginning to feel it may become necessary to acquire one as part of a responsible, well reasoned plan to seriously hack off the Queen of California.

I purchased the crp-18 (colt's 3 g comp gun), a month or so before the panic started and I have to admit it is my favorite gun to shoot right now. It feels good at the range. I like the craftmanship and attention to detail. Plus it's very accurate. What's not to like?

If I didn't already own two,...I sure as hell would.

Nobody else can answer that.
Have you watched Brandon401401 on his Youtube Channel hit metal gongs from 150 and 300 yards, using his AK's irons sights (modified trigger)...in a free stance or kneeling?
If this bores you, most 'regular' guys Will enjoy watching his wife "Kirsti Rockin' The SKS"...

Such a skilled shooter as Brandon can probably also do this with a $350-$400 SKS.
Gunbroker should still have about four pages of SKS, with many at fairly normal (pre-panic) prices. With my SKS and Garand etc, the AR never really appealed to me before the mania, or now. Good luck with your decision.

I can't answer that question for you with the current political situation, however I can say I am very glad I bought my AR a few days into the current craze when I could still buy it at pre-craze pricing. Of course I had been shopping for an AR off and on for a long time, just never felt the NEED for one until I saw the fact that the prices were about to sky rocket.

Such a skilled shooter can probably also do this with a $350-$400 SKS.

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...except that the SKS is also on Feinstein's latest poop-list as well.

Feinstein's list is very unlikely to be passed. Limitations on magazine capacity could very well be passed unless we win.

Get one. They are fun. And still able to be had at reasonable prices if you find the right place.

Plus, it's an investment.

30/30 lever gun would be my choice. U can keep on shoving live rounds in the side loading magazine even while shooting. My winchester holds 7 rounds. is accurate,hard hitting and fast shooten. it held of bad guys, cattle rustlers, hostile injuns, and the sheriff always carried one and for good reason.

At a recent Alabama Gun Collectors Show the first of 2013, a "run of the mill"
Windham Arms AR-15 in 5.56 was going for $1799; a far cry from the usual
$699~!

If you don't have one don't bother unless you really need it. A buddy of mine was at a gun show last weekend and said the Sportical(stripped down AR) was averaging 2k dollars. He told me that, I about fell off the recliner. Components for reloading and ammo is sky high to, that's why I'm glad for m" mom and pop" gun shops. Was just there today, and the racks are full of guns(still at reasonable prices) and ooooodles of powder primers and bullets at regular price.